Torres del Paine Trek

Torres del Paine Trek

Torres del Paine Trek

Torres del Paine National Park, lies in southern Chile’s Patagonia region. The Cordillera del Paine is the park’s centrepiece with 3 soaring granite ‘Towers of Paine’ and the horn-shaped peaks called Cuernos del Paine. Torres del Paine National Park encompasses lakes, rivers, glaciers and forests with incredible wildlife, which together make it an exciting destination for a trekking adventure. The park's two picturesque trekking routes, "W" route and the "Circuit” can be covered between 5-10 days.

The trails in between the Torres del Paine famous craggy mountains are among the world's classic trekking routes. Breathtaking views together with glaciers, rivers, lakes, forests and abundant wildlife provides the trip with constantly changing scenarios and experiences. During summer (Nov-Mar) there are 18 hours of daylight that give the explorers plenty of time for the walking journey. With Andean condors circling overhead and guanacos grazing in the valleys, this amazing trek offers a genuine wilderness experience.

Depart and return whenever you choose – shorten or lengthen the tour to suite your wishes.

This tour is designed to provide maximum outdoor experience.

What to Know

This is an active tour and includes walking or trekking on rough terrains.

You must come prepared for summer and winter all together.

Please check with us for clothing and equipment you should take on this trip.

We carefully select the world's best boutique tour companies in each destination.

We offer 24/7 support to give you complete peace of mind during your holiday.

We strongly recommend that you take travel insurance for this holiday.

Getting There

Flights from the UK and Ireland: There are currently no direct flights from major UK airports. Most flights are via a European, Latin American or US city; LAN, Iberia, British Airways and Air France are all options. It’s worth paying attention to the routes used by the different airlines; even the shortest and most convenient ones via Madrid or Buenos Aires entail a total travelling time of over 16 hours. Flying via the US is longer still (though sometimes cheaper).

Flights from the US and Canada: US travellers shouldn’t find it too hard to get a fairly convenient flight to Santiago. American Airlines, Delta and LAN offer non-stop flights from airports such as Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta. It is also possible to travel via other Latin American countries such as Peru and Brazil.

Day 1 – ArriveTorres del Paine Arrive around noon in Punta Arenas with the earliest morning flight from Santiago. Drive to Ecocamp (345 km/ 216miles /5hrs) inside the famous Torres del Paine National Park. In summer time (Dec-Mar), the sun sets around 11PM giving us plenty of light to admire the landscape en route and the craggy mountains while entering the park. We will make short stops in the township of Puerto Natales, to take a look of the town (you have here the chance to leave in our office in Puerto Natales any luggage that you will not need during the trek), and in the enormous Cueva del Milodon, a giant geological wander that once sheltered a prehistoric sloth.
Overnight – Ecocamp in Las Torres (L , D)

Day 2 – Hiking TourPaso Los Cuernos/ The Horns The 5-6 hours hike starts at the Ecocamp and ends at refugio Los Cuernos. The name of the trail is taken from the fact that it passes under the horn-like Cuernos del Paine —peaks with beautiful black "horns" of slate atop gray granite. (Your clothes and personal belongings needed for this night and the following are transported separately in duffel bags we provide you with on day 1).
Overnight refugio Los Cuernos(B, L, D)

Day 3 – Hiking TourFrench Valley/ Valle del Frances Today the trekking will go over 8 kms/5 mi (3 hrs) up to Campamento Italiano and will continue with a round trip to Mirador del Frances (3 km/2 mi, 2 hrs), one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. We start walking (1 hr) by the shore of lake Nordenskjold until arriving at Campamento Italiano. We continue following the river Frances upstreams until El Mirador (lookout point) facing Glaciar Frances which descends from Paine Grande, the highest summit in the Paine range. From here we have a magnificent view of the lakes below.

Optional trek (2 hrs) to Mirador Britanico available. Once back at Camp Italiano, the track between Camp Italiano and Camp Pehoe makes its way through undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest until reaching Refugio Pehoe for overnight. Duffel bags are carried by porters.
Overnight – Refugio Pehoe (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Hiking TourPehoe/ Grey Glacier We'll hike about four hours from Refuge Pehoe at the shores of Lago Pehoe to the northern end of Lago Grey. Enjoy a picnic lunch before boarding the boat which sails alongside the face of Glaciar Grey. You will have ample time to marvel at this calving glacier before the boat crosses Lago Grey (40 min.). Your clothes and personal belongings are transported separately from the Refuge in duffel bags. Transfer (2 hrs or less) from Lake Grey's southern end to the Ecocamp. 1) If the weather conditions do not allow us to navigate the Grey Lake, we'll instead hike to the Grey Glacier (6-8 hrs, roundtrip) and then at Pudeto board the catamaran to cross Lake Pehoe. From there, drive 45 minutes to camp.
Overnight – Ecocamp in Las Torres (B,L,D)

Day 5 and 6 – Hiking TourTorres del Paine/ Laguna Azul Our hiking itinerary for the day is weather dependent. If we have a clear day, we will do an all day hike (10 km/6 mi, 8 hrs round-trip) to the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine where the towers rise majestically before us, and the glacial lake is visible below – one of the most scenic sights in the world! The famous Torres del Paine (2.900m/9.400ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice.

If it is clouded with no chances to view the Torres del Paine, we hike instead (40 min.) to the lookout point of Laguna Azul from where we have a beautiful view of Laguna Azul and the Torres. We continue along the eastern side of Lago Sarmiento until the calcium formations at the shores of Lake Sarmiento where we have a good chance to see guanacos. Later we trek (3 hours) the Paso Las Cornizas with views of Rio Paine, Lake Pehoe and the massif of Paine. Depending on the group, we could also hike (2 hrs or less) to lookout point Toro with views to Lago Toro and typical pampa (steppe). Once back at the Ecocamp, a farewell dinner is honoured with a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue.
Overnight – Ecocamp (B, L, D)

Day 7 – DepartPunta Arenas Early in the morning board the vehicle back to Punta Arenas on time to catch the evening flight back to Santiago. (B, L).

Torres del Paine Trek Southern Patagonia, Chile

Make this your holiday

Exclusive Tour: your own private multilingual guide throughout the trip

Price Guarantee: costing 25-30% less than similar tours of the same flexibility and quality

Tailor Made: customised itinerary to create your dream holiday

Duration: shorten or lengthen the tour to suit your wishes

Dates: depart and return whenever you choose

Hotels: change hotel grade to suit your budget

Group Discounts: call 020 8350 6199

Getting There There are currently no direct flights from major UK airports. Most flights are via Europe, Latin America or US; LAN, Iberia, British Airways and Air France are all options. It’s worth paying attention to the routes used by the different airlines; even the shortest and most convenient ones via Madrid or Buenos Aires entail a total travelling time of over 16 hours. Flying via the US is longer still (though sometimes cheaper).

When to go This best (and most expensive) time to visit Patagonia is between Nov to Feb. March is the period for grape harvest and wine festivals and April is fall. Between September and November is possibly the best time to visit Santiago, the temperatures are pleasant and good value for money. Jun to Aug is winter and the best time to visit ski resorts. Between mid-December to end February and two-middle weeks of July is holiday time for Brazilians and Argentines.
​

Do it my way

Would you like to customise this itinerary? Please let us know your requirements.

One of our Travel Consultants will contact you within 24 hours to customise this adventure for your dates and group